|
Read time: 8 min
|
Posted on:
Read time: 8 min
Posted on:
If you’re experiencing uncomfortable symptoms such as burning or pain when urinating or pain during sex then you may be wondering if you have an STD such as Chlamydia. You might also be thinking back to your sexual activity and wondering if it’s even possible to have it if you use a condom.
Take the time to learn more about Chlamydia and if you can get Chlamydia with a condom or not so you can determine if you might have it and get the right treatment.
The first matter to cover is what is Chlamydia. Chlamydia is a bacterium that causes an STD or pneumonia illness in someone. It’s one of the most common STDs and can be easily spread through sex or infected genital fluids such as semen or vaginal fluid. Often it can be asymptomatic or dormant which means you won’t have any noticeable symptoms.
The short answer is, yes, you can get Chlamydia with a condom. That being said, you are lowering your chances of giving or getting Chlamydia when you use a latex or polyurethane condom each time you have oral, anal, or vaginal sex. A condom will not completely stop your risk from getting it. If you are sexually active then it’s good practice to get tested for STDs regularly.
Since condoms are not 100 percent effective, you risk getting an STI such as Chlamydia if you engage in anal, oral, or vaginal sex. However, you should also keep in mind that condoms are 98 percent effective and therefore are good at protecting against most STIs such as Chlamydia.
A condom can’t entirely protect against any STD with 100 percent certainty. However, practicing safe sex and using a condom will lower your risk significantly for the chance of getting Chlamydia. A latex condom, when used consistently and correctly will reduce the risk of STDs. As noted above, condoms are generally 98 percent effective.
Do Condoms Prevent All STDs?
While condoms can help prevent certain STDs such as Chlamydia and gonorrhea, they can’t prevent all STDs. There are some STDs in particular such as syphilis, herpes, and genital warts that can be spread from skin-to-skin contact.
The only way to prevent getting an STD or Chlamydia completely is to abstain from oral, anal, and vaginal sex. Use a condom to greatly reduce the risk of giving or getting an STD but know that it can’t entirely eliminate the possibility of transmitting Chlamydia, for example.
Condoms can protect you from Chlamydia and other STDs since they block transmission and acquisition of them by preventing contact between the person wearing the condom’s penis and the sex partner’s genital secretions, mucosa, and skin.
The key is consistent and correct condom use each and every time you engage in sexual activity. Rather than a failure of the product itself, STDs are usually transmitted to another person as the result of inconsistent and incorrect use of a condom.
There are some tips that you can apply so that you know you’re using a condom correctly and you can best prevent giving or receiving an STD such as Chlamydia to your partner.
Always use a new condom throughout any sex act from start to finish. Before you engage in any sexual activity, with the rolled side out, place the condom on the tip of the erect penis. Next, unroll the condom, while holding the tip, all the way to the base of the erect penis. Carefully withdraw the condom after ejaculation but before the penis gets soft. Make sure no semen spills out as you remove it. After you have removed the condom then roll it in a tissue and place it in a trash can.
If at any point you notice the condom breaks or tears then immediately stop what you’re doing and replace it with a new one. When using a lubricant during vaginal or anal sex you should always use a water-based lubricant instead of an oil-based lubricant as this can weaken the latex and cause breakage.
You may be wondering how long Chlamydia can last and if it will go away on its own. The duration of it depends on whether you have symptoms or not. It’s very possible you don’t show any symptoms and may not even realize you have it. However, the upside is that once you are treated for it then due to the antibiotics, the duration of Chlamydia is much shorter and it should clear up in about one to two weeks.
Since treating Chlamydia requires antibiotics, it’s essential to see a doctor or healthcare provider who can prescribe these medicines to you as soon as possible. It’s important to note that you can’t purchase antibiotics over the counter so you’ll need to see a licensed healthcare professional.
Always treat Chlamydia promptly since it can lead to additional and other serious health conditions when left untreated. You can use the DrHouse telehealth app to quickly connect with a board-certified doctor in less than 15 minutes to have all your questions answered and be on your way with your prescription in no time.
So, when wondering about whether you get Chlamydia with a condom, you should now have all the answers and information you need. The short answer is, yes, you should use a condom and practice safe sex with the caveat of knowing that condoms aren’t 100 percent effective. There is always a slight risk of contracting Chlamydia and other STDs even when you use a condom.
What’s most important is that you use them consistently and correctly and always seek treatment from a doctor or healthcare provider in the case that you believe you have contracted Chlamydia or any other STD. You will need an antibiotic to clean up Chlamydia and feel better.
Content on the DrHouse website is written by our medical content team and reviewed by qualified MDs, PhDs, NPs, and PharmDs. We follow strict content creation guidelines to ensure accurate medical information. However, this content is for informational purposes only and not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. For more information read our medical disclaimer.
Always consult with your physician or other qualified health providers about medical concerns. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking it based on what you read on this website.
If you are experiencing high fever (>103F/39.4C), shortness of breath, difficulty breathing, chest pain, heart palpitations, abnormal bruising, abnormal bleeding, extreme fatigue, dizziness, new weakness or paralysis, difficulty with speech, confusion, extreme pain in any body part, or inability to remain hydrated or keep down fluids or feel you may have any other life-threatening condition, please go to the emergency department or call 911 immediately.
DrHouse provides 24/7 virtual urgent care, men’s health, women’s health and online prescriptions.
Prescriptions as needed
Renew or get a new Rx.
On-demand virtual visits
See a physician 24/7.
24/7 care support
We are here to help you.
on your schedule
Skip the unnecessary waiting room, see a board-certified physician now.
Available in 50 states. Insurance accepted.